New Hunting Rifles For 2021

Hunting is thought to be one of the most basic, essential activities that tie us to our land, it is especially rewarding to be able to capture your own food and provide for your family. It is imperative, however, that when choosing a rifle you have the utmost confidence that your gun will work effectively every time you need it to. Thought to be some of the main points to consider when choosing a rifle are:-

  • Dependability

  • Accuracy

  • Ergonomics

  • Durability

There are obviously many types of rifles and choosing the best for you will depend on what type of hunting you aim to do. Although there aren’t as many brand new guns on offer this year there are still plenty of choices, take a look at some of the new models for 2021 and seek advice on which will best suit your needs. If you’re unsure, reach out to specialists like Palmetto State Armory for information and advice.

RUGER 10/22

This rifle is a wise choice to begin shooting with. Its lightweight simple sights and semi-automatic action make it a great beginners hunting rifle, ideal for learning to hunt small game or even tin cans! One of the greatest features of the 10/22 is its modest price and the low cost of ammunition, making it perfect to get your foot into hunting without making a huge investment. A scope can be easily mounted by attaching a Picatinny rail to the holes on top of the receiver. Because the 10/22 is such a popular rifle there are many aftermarket parts that you could upgrade, or replace any part of the gun if you wanted with little or no gunsmith experience required. It would be hard to find a better beginner rifle than the Ruger 10/22. Even for the experienced shooter, the simple pleasure of a semi-automatic .22 can still bring joy and pleasure. For the price and the training capability it’s a high recommendation for any person who enjoys sport shooting.

WINCHESTER MODEL 70 EXTREME TRUETIMBER VSX MN

This updated bolt-action from WInchester Repeating Arms takes on harsh conditions with ease. Coated in Tungsten Cerakote on both receiver and barrel this model has a matte-cameo finish, that won’t give you away to sharp eyed game. A Bell & Carlson Synthetic Stock with sculpted cheekpiece lightens the load and also adds shooting comfort, while a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad offers shooting relief. This is basically a durability upgrade for one of the more popular rifles on the market. The array of calibers and barrel lengths is unbelievable. Depending on the choice of caliber this rifle comes in at $1600 to $1640.

BROWNING X-BOLT WESTERN HUNTER LONG RANGE

Browning attached a heavy sporter contour barrel to the tried and true X-Bolt action when building the new Western Hunter Long Range. The free-floating barrel is bedded at the front and rear of the action for stability and also to help maintain barrel-to-stock spacing for consistent accuracy. X-Lock scope mounts feature a four-screw-per-base design, locking them down at all four corners for rock solid scope mountings. The rifle also benefits from Browning’s new Feather Trigger, which provides a clean, crisp pull with no take-up or creep and minimal overtravel. Traditionalists will be pleased with the sporter-style stock,which integrates an adjustable comb system while maintaining a classic silhouette. While the Western Hunter Long Range isn’t featherweight it’s more than manageable at only 7-7llbs. The new rifle is chambered for a dozen long-range rounds, including the new 6.8 Western.

MARLIN 336

It is said that no cartridge has killed more deer in the woods of North America than the classic 30-30 in a lever action rifle. The Marlin 336 remains one of the most popular deer hunting rifles sold. The Marlin 336 is a lever-action rifle which feeds from a 6-round tube magazine located under the barrel. It features classic buckhorn sights with a brass head, and is drilled and tapped for the additional installation of a scope. This model has a stainless steel finish making it incredibly resistant to the rust and to the other corrosive damage of the hunting environment. As far as brush hunting goes .30-30 is one of the most popular hunting rifle calibers out there. Capable of taking medium game including deer, hog and even black bear, it is a capable rifle for close-distance encounters. A great rifle for hog hunters, or any other variety of close-range brush hunting. Inside of 150 yards the rifle is capable of snap-shots with a cartridge powerful enough to kill a wide variety of animals. The mechanical action is simple and robust, and the stainless steel finish will ease any worries about rust in a wet or humid environment.

NOSLER MODEL 48MOUNTAIN CARBON ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT RIFLE

Nosler’s Model 48 (or M48) Mountain Carbon, originally introduced in 2019, is updated with a few new options for 2021. This ultra-lightweight performance rifle is high on tech, ridiculously accurate on performance, and weighs in at 6 pounds. New for 2021 is a Shale Grey colour option in addition to its original Granite Green. Nothing changes in the carbon fiber Mountain Hunter Stock besides the coloration. Nosler also added two new chamberings: 6.5PRC and 280 Ackley improved. This model tops the list in expense at a retail price of $3,140 but not by much. For its combo of lightness and sub-MOA accuracy it is not considered to be a bank-breaking purchase.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 2220 WAYPOINT

It is obvious that Springfield Armory drew on its experience manufacturing tactical firearms when it developed the 2020 Waypoint. The result is a custom-quality bolt-action hunting rifle with a .75-MOA accuracy guarantee. There are many options in the Waypoint series, starting with the barrel. You can choose from an all-steel version, or one that wraps the fluted 416 stainless-steel tube in a carbon-fiber jacket. Both are filled with a removable brake. The Waypoint is built with a AG Composites carbon-fiber stock that’s pillar bedded to the action, with either a fixed or adjustable comb, The action contains a fluted bolt that operates smoothly in machined raceways and locks up securely thanks to dual lugs. The TriggerTech trigger easily adjusts from 2.5 to 5 pounds of pull. The Waypoint is available in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC and .308 WIn. With its impressive accuracy guarantee, we’re putting this one in the long-range category, but at just a little over 7 pounds in some configurations it’s light enough for the mountain too.

MOSSBERG INTERNATIONAL RESERVE SERIES OVER/UNDER

A new line from Mossberg bringing a classic and beautiful look to a very affordable entry point for upland hunters. The series has two options, the Silver Reserve and the Gold Reserve. The Silver Reserve Series varies in price from $636 to $692. Available in 12guage (28inches), 20guage (26inches), 28guage (26inches), .410 bore(26inches), it serves hunters from youth to grown ups. It comes in Satin SIlver or Matte Blue Finish, with fiber-optic sights available on the matte option. The Gold Reserve Series, on the other hand is a beautiful gun at a surprising price of just under $1000 for most of the series. Competition-ready shell ejectors pair with adjustable stock options for cast, length of pull and comb height. A 24-Karat gold inlay adds a dash of class to the underside of the receiver. A Super Sport option ($1,221) boasts fiber optic sights, and an elevated 12mm tall, 10mm wide vent rib. The Gold Reserve Series is available in 12guage (30inches), 20guage (28inches), .410 bore (28inches) and the 12guage Gold Reserve Black Label Version with a 30 inch barrel.

STEYR ARMS SCOUT RIFLE

The concept of a scout rifle has been around for several decades in one form or another, but the Steyr Arms Scout is perhaps the most essential version created. A lightweight rifle with a detachable magazine and a forward mounted scope, the scout rifle is meant to be light and to handle quickly. Chambered in an all round hunting caliber, it’s meant to be a great utility tool for the rifleman. The Steyr Scout doesn’t treat all of these descriptions as requirements. For example, the rifle has a forward mount for a scout style scope, but a standard scope can still be mounted over the bolt. In addition, backup iron sights mean the rifle can be used without a magnified optic. From the factory, the rifle weighs only 6.6. pounds. The rifle feeds from a 5-round detachable magazine, and a slot in the rear of the stock holds a second magazine ready to go. In addition, the lightweight polymer stock features an integrated bipod to help steady your aim without bolting on additional equipment. This lightweight .308 hunting rifle is simple, light and capable as a hunting rifle, suitable for backpacking, hiking and hunting in regions with a lot of walking involved.

Author bio: Sujain Thomas is a freelance content writer and blogger who has written articles for several renowned blogs and websites about various topics including hunting.